Pharmacy Tech Pay

Fullerton vs Los Angeles: Pharmacy Technician Salary (2026)

Compare pharmacy technician salaries between Fullerton, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fullerton, CA
$57,254
$27.53/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$53,521
$25.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFullerton, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$57,254$53,521
Hourly Rate$27.53$25.73
Entry Level (P10)$43,457$41,986
25th Percentile$46,093$47,638
75th Percentile$63,346$66,332
Top Earner (P90)$77,762$83,139
Total Employed2513,130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fullerton ($57,254) and Los Angeles ($53,521) pharmacy technician salaries.FullertonLos AngelesMedian Salary$57,254$53,521Entry Level (P10)$43,457$41,986Top Earner (P90)$77,762$83,139US Median $48,239

Verdict

Fullerton and Los Angeles are closely matched on overall pharmacy technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Fullerton and Los Angeles is $3,733 (6.97%). Fullerton's median is +18.69% compared to the US national median of $48,239.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fullerton spans $34,305,Los Angeles spans $41,153. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacy technicians.

Fullerton
P10 (Entry)$43,457
P25$46,093
Median$57,254
P75$63,346
P90 (Top)$77,762
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$41,986
P25$47,638
Median$53,521
P75$66,332
P90 (Top)$83,139

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fullerton ($50,622 effective) pays 7.42% more than Los Angeles ($47,128 effective).

Fullerton
Nominal: $57,254
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $50,622
Los Angeles
Nominal: $53,521
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $47,128

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fullerton if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,254/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,622)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,139)
  • Larger job market (13,130 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacy technician salaries in Fullerton grew -10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Fullerton, CA

+-10.1%

$60,415 (2024) → $54,300 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+15.1%

$44,090 (2019) → $50,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays pharmacy technicians more: Fullerton or Los Angeles?

Fullerton has a higher median pharmacy technician salary at $57,254/year, compared to Los Angeles at $53,521/year — a difference of $3,733 (6.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fullerton and Los Angeles?

Fullerton pharmacy technicians earn $27.53/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $25.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fullerton to Los Angeles as a pharmacy technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fullerton and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fullerton = $50,622, Los Angeles = $47,128), job availability (25 vs 13,130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level pharmacy technicians earn in Fullerton vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) pharmacy technicians earn $43,457 in Fullerton and $41,986 in Los Angeles. The Fullerton area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emily Tran, PharmD

Career Analyst

Emily Tran has over 8 years of experience as a pharmacy technician. She specializes in medication therapy management. Her experience includes working in community pharmacies.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CPhTData verified by Fatima Hassan, CPhT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.44% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Tran, PharmD, a licensed pharmacy technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov